Final answer:
The Fang Mask from the Ngil Secret Society represents African Traditional Art and is a cultural artifact from Gabon that symbolizes a connection to ancestors and the spiritual world, disrupted by colonialism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fang Mask from the Ngil Secret Society is an exemplar of African Traditional Art. Characterized by its almond-shaped form, incised patterns symbolizing sacrifices, and distinct geometry of features, these masks are historically tied to the Fang ethnicity in what is now Gabon and were prevalent up until the colonial era.
In broader terms, African masks were integral to ceremonial costumes and rituals, often embodying ancestral spirits, and strengthening communal bonds with the spiritual world. Belgian colonization, specifically under King Leopold II who exploited the Congo Free State, disrupted many indigenous practices including those of mask-making. Such masks were often made from natural resources, like wood and kaolin, and were part of a larger artistic tradition that also utilized ivory, animal skins, and metals for a plethora of ceremonial items, influenced by royal demands and created by guilds of artists.
Traditional African art and masks, in particular, are recognized for their significant role in cultural expression, community rituals, and their influence on Western artists like Pablo Picasso. These pieces of art often faced threats of deterioration due to the humid African climate and were also looted or sold by European invaders.